Ewing Kauffman
| Birthdate | 9/21/1916 |
| Death Date | 8/1/1993 |
| Debut Year | 1969 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Royals |
| Position | Owner |
From 1976-1985, Royals founding owner Ewing Kauffman led the team to six trips to the ALCS, two appearances in the Fall Classic, and the 1985 World Series title.
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Ewing Kauffman was innovative and forward-thinking as Royals owner
Ewing Kauffman was innovative and forward-thinking as Royals owner
When Major League Baseball expanded in 1969, Commissioner William Eckert announced Kansas City as the recipient of an American League franchise. The league chose local pharmaceutical magnate Ewing Kauffman as team owner. Kauffman’s 25 years in charge of the Royals featured innovation off of the diamond and success on it.
Drawing from one of baseball’s smallest markets, Kauffman took a successful regional approach to attract fans. He sent the team’s bus caravan throughout Missouri and to Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, and Arkansas.
During a time when multipurpose stadiums were in vogue, Kauffman went against the grain. He oversaw the construction of Royals Stadium, the sole baseball-only big league venue built between 1962 and 1991.
As a tip of the cap to Kansas City’s “City of Fountains” moniker, the stadium features 10-foot high fountains that stretch 322 feet along the outfield. That and the 12-story scoreboard in the shape of a crown are the stadium’s identifying features.
Once Royals Stadium opened in 1973, Kauffman made sure the fans packed it. In each of the 21 years at the stadium under Kauffman’s ownership the team drew at least a million fans. In 16 of those seasons the team drew 1.75 million or more; 11 times they drew at least 2 million.
Kauffman also built a winning club. Despite growing pains as an expansion franchise, he quickly made the team competitive. By their third season the Royals won 85 games and finished second in their division. In 1975 they broke the 90-win plateau.
The Royals then began a decade of dominance. From 1976-1985, Kansas City reached the postseason 7 times. The run included six trips to the ALCS, two appearances in the Fall Classic, and the 1985 World Series title.
Kauffman was a hero in Kansas City. In 1993, Royals Stadium was renamed in his honor. The same year the 76-year old Kauffman was inducted into the team Hall of Fame. He passed away that August.
In November, 2007 Kauffman was included on the Veterans Committee ballot where he fell one vote short of election to the Hall of Fame. The founder of the Kansas City Royals, Ewing Kauffman’s mark on the game and city he loved remains indelible.
In the collection is this index card signed by Kauffman.
